Police Arrest Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother, Lawyer, Protesters During #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Demonstration in Abuja
A peaceful protest calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, turned chaotic on Monday after security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force reportedly assaulted and arrested demonstrators, including Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.
The protest, held under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, took place in the nation’s capital, Abuja, as supporters gathered to demand compliance with multiple court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.
Eyewitnesses alleged that police officers deployed to the venue descended on the crowd with force, beating protesters and firing teargas to disperse them.
According to accounts shared by activists and journalists present at the scene, the police did not only arrest protesters but also picked up bystanders who were not part of the demonstration. The arrested individuals were reportedly taken to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
A witness said, “It was a peaceful gathering until the police arrived in large numbers. They started pushing people, beating them with batons, and arresting anyone within sight, including Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother.”
The arrest of Ejimakor, who has been one of Kanu’s lead counsels in his long-running legal battle with the Nigerian government, has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights advocates and political observers.
Civil society groups and supporters of the IPOB leader have called for the immediate release of all those detained, describing the police action as “a gross abuse of power” and “an assault on the right to peaceful assembly.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement regarding the incident or the condition of those arrested.
Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 after being rearrested abroad and extradited to Nigeria to face charges including treasonable felony. Despite multiple court orders granting him bail and calling for his release, he remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Observers say the latest crackdown reflects growing frustration among authorities over renewed calls for Kanu’s freedom, even as his supporters insist that their protests will continue until justice is served.
